How do I Add a Small Bathroom to an Upstairs Space/Room Over the Garage?

Written by stephi peppers

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Adding a bathroom to your home can increase value and create family harmony. (bathroom image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com)

Real estate experts agree that adding a bathroom to a home is one of the best ways to increase its value. But bathrooms are more than just equity builders. Depending on the size of the house and the number of family members, an extra bathroom can mean the difference between chaos and a peaceful coexistence. Consider adding a small bathroom to the upstairs or over the garage in an unused or underused space.

Skill level:

Easy

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Instructions

1

Choose the location for the bathroom. If possible, pick a spot directly above or nearest to existing plumbing. This means building as close to an existing bathroom or kitchen as possible. This will help with budgetary constraints and with overall ease in completing the project. Select a location that can accommodate all the fixtures you want in your bathroom.

2

Create a blueprint or basic plan for the bathroom. Measure your space, and plan for the fixtures you intend to include in your bathroom, such as a bathtub or stand-alone shower, vanity or pedestal sink and a toilet. Make sure you leave room for walking space and door openings, which can be a challenge in small spaces. For a bathroom over a garage, pay special attention to ceiling heights and allotments necessary for additional insulation or floor bracing.

3

Draft a budget. Plan for all your building materials and tools, along with a 30 per cent slush fund for emergencies or unanticipated supplies. Take a trip to the local home improvement stores and price out your fixtures and tools. Small spaces and upstairs locations pose a potential problem for builders. Be prepared for the potential need to have materials delivered or for professional assistance in getting the materials into your space.

4

Contact a contractor or bathroom-installation expert. Whether you choose to build the bathroom yourself or have a contractor do the work, consulting a contractor can help ward off possible problems. Have the contractor review the project to get some tips on the work, and keep a phone number handy in case the job becomes too big or you run into any problems that require a professional's help.